Actor Kevin Kennedy's character Curly Watts is one of those Coronation Street characters who left an impression on viewers with his quirky charm and his loveable, if gullible personality. In the ever popular British soap Coronation Street, characters come, and characters go, but a few have remained fan favourites over the years including the legend that is Curly Watts.
An instant fan favorite since his first appearance in 1983, he became a beloved member of the cobbles, thanks to his hapless but loveable personality. But what's happened to Curly Watts - and will he ever return to the cobbles after all these years? Read on to find out!
Who is Coronation Street character Curly Watts?
Curly's real name is Norman, and he got his nickname for having super straight hair. He initially started working as a binman, his clumsy and humorous self made a rather mundane job incredibly amusing. His journey on Coronation Street was very rocky yet filled with humor, heartbreak, and a lot of memorable moments that still remain iconic to this day.
One of Curly's defining traits was his naive, gullible, and good natured personality. He was a kind-hearted soul, always ready to lend a hand or an ear to his friends. Despite his lack of success in romance and his often bumbling attempts wooing women, Curly was a character that Coronation Street audiences couldn't help but root for.
His relationships became a running joke on the cobbles, most notably with the glamorous Raquel Wolstenhulme, played by Sarah Lancashire. Their unusual romance and marriage were questionable and unfortunately it ended in tears when Raquel left him to pursue a modeling career.
Curly’s career progression in Coronation Street was another interesting aspect of his character. From binman to supermarket manager at Bettabuys, Curly was desperate to rise to the top. Despite often being the butt of jokes, he was determined and adamant that he wouldn't remain a binman forever. During his time at Bettabuys, his boss, Reg Holdsworth had some run-ins with poor Curly which had hilarious consequences.
Why did Curly Watts disappear?
Actor Kevin Kennedy had his own personal and professional reasons for leaving Coronation Street. Kennedy wanted to pursue other opportunities and challenges in his career. Additionally, Kennedy dealt with personal struggles, including overcoming alcoholism, which might have influenced his decision to take a break and focus on his health and other projects.
In the storyline, Curly left Weatherfield to start a new life with his wife, Emma, and their baby son, Ben, in Newcastle. This move made sense within the context of the show, providing a plausible and satisfying conclusion to his character's arc. It allowed Curly to leave on a high note, moving forward with his family in a positive direction.
Curly left Coronation Street in 2003, and though he made brief returns, his absence left a gap in the show. His departure marked the end of an era for many fans who had followed his journey from a gawky young man to a somewhat more confident, yet still lovable, adult.
